Since 1964, Binibining Pilipinas Charities Incorporated has been the official national franchise holder of the Miss Universe Organization. However, rumors claim that former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson is acquiring the franchise.

On January 3, 2019, BCPI founder and chairman Stella Marquez-Araneta attended the send-off press conference for Miss Intercontinental Philippines 2018 Karen Gallman at the Novotel Manila Araneta Center in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. The former was asked about the Miss Universe franchise during the event.

“It’s still with us,” Marquez-Araneta told ABS-CBN News. “If some people are saying something else, let them talk about it.”

During the homecoming of Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, she was accompanied not by Marquez-Araneta but by Singson and his daughter Richelle Singson-Michael, who was one of the Miss Universe 2018 judges. The fourth Miss Universe from the Philippines is now in New York City, New York, United States where she will share an apartment with Miss USA 2018 Sarah Rose Summers for a year.

In an interview with Filipino radio station DZMM, Chavit revealed North Korea is participating in Miss Universe for the first time. He also said that Gray is crowning her successor in South Korea in 2019.

Gray is the 55th women to be crowned Bb. Pilipinas-Universe. The other three who held the title and eventually became Miss Universe were Gloria Diaz, Margarita Moran and Pia Wurtzbach.

Patalinjug was unplaced in Miss Grand International 2018 in Myanmar while Huelar made it to the Top 10 in Miss Supranational 2018 in Poland and Gumabao made it to the Top 15 in Miss Globe 2018 in Albania.

Manalo is runner-up to Miss International 2018 in Japan. On January 29, 2019, Gallman will compete against around 90 women from all continents will compete for the Miss Intercontinental 2018 crown at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, here is Gallman talking about the role of beauty queens in the pursuit of the economic success of the Philippines: